Unique Promotional Products
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February 28, 2006

Humor and Promotional Gifts in Direct Mail

Sales coach Lori Richardson has used bendable glow-in-the-dark toy skeletons in direct mail pieces to people who refuse to return phone calls. She encloses it with a written note saying something like: "This is me, waiting to hear from you".

To get people to open direct mail pieces, marketers often use humor plus promotional gifts, like putting a magnetized key inside, the front of the envelope emblazoned with: "Your Key to Success Lies Inside". A cleaning company campaign used a plastic comb – their pitch was "We'll Clean Your House With a Fine-toothed Comb".

The promotional item sparks interest that keeps the mail from being immediately trashed and to get it opened up. The humor may serve to break down resistance far enough that the recipient will then read the piece. If you're able to use a useful or fun gift that is likely to be retained by the potential customer, then you've got your name and contact information in their house. Even if they don't use your services this time, you're making it easier for them to call your company when they do.

The value of WOM (word-of-mouth) marketing shouldn't be discounted either. When people receive something funny in the mail, they naturally tell their friends and family members about it.

Here's one for you which could be used by an air-conditioning company, summer wear retailer, or tax company: slide a pocket coolie with a "We Help Keep You Cool" imprint in your next direct mail campaign.

Building Brand Loyalty Through Promotions

Survey findings reported in the March issue of the American Journal of Preventive Medicine indicate that cigarette manufacturers are using promotional offers successfully, and that 35% of consumers take advantage of discounts every time they see them.

The authors of the survey say their results "strongly suggest that the tobacco industry is successfully reaching intended price-sensitive groups with promotional offers" because this particular market segment tends to smoke only those brands associated with increased promotional-offer use. In fact, nearly three-quarters ($8.9 billion) of tobacco-industry marketing costs in 2002 was on promotion.

"To cigarette manufacturers, promoting brand loyalty in younger casual smokers and encouraging them to become fully addicted so they will buy cigarettes for many years is likely worth the cost of discounting cigarettes,” the researchers conclude.

Because it's a health-related article, the promotions weren't defined other than cash discounts. However, it makes sense that price-sensitive tobacco customers would also be attracted to free products with purchase; in this case, something like a lighter and cigarette pack holder or cigarette cutter.

It all comes back to exhaustive market research and knowing – exactly – who your customer is and what that customer wants.

February 24, 2006

GIANT PROMOTIONAL PRODUCTS

Looking to make a BIG impression on existing and prospective clients? Look no further than the giant promotional pencil. This promotional product will grab your potential customers' attention and will definitely make a lasting impression. They will keep it on their desks forever, and it is sure to be a conversation starter with every person that comes into their office. Show potential customers you want to get right to the point and help them super-size their business. The giant promotional pencil shows your creativity and may be the tool that finally gets you in the door with a difficult to reach prospect. It can also make a great prize for school writing or math contests. Let everyone know you can deliver big results by using the giant promotional pencil as part of your promotional marketing strategy.

For more information on the GIANT PROMOTIONAL PENCIL or any other GIANT or regular-sized promotional products, call 561-999-9097 x113 or email sharon@http://FarFromBoring.com, or visit our website at http://FarFromBoring.com.

Trade Shows Call for Memorable Promotional Products

In case you've forgotten, trade shows are important. An article at AllBusiness tells you why:

1.an estimated 110 million people attend more than 4,000 shows in the United States and Canada every year -- and those numbers are increasing;

2.Most show-goers are there because they have some influence on purchasing. They want to see how your product works and what it looks like while evaluating the competition.

Promotional products are an expected feature at trade shows. They also play an important role in creating buzz about your company and in helping people to remember you and your service or product line. That means you'll have to give some thought as to how to make the give-away somehow relatable to your business, memorable and unique – hopefully one that will entice show-goers to stop and spend some time with you.

• it's a humorous, visual reminder that your business is to save others money;
• it's also a useful attention-getting item that can sit on an office or home desk, with your name seen every time a stray coin is dropped in.

By the way, according to the article, you should "place…give-away items at the back of your booth space so interested attendees will have to come inside to get them."

For your company or product to be considered WOM-worthy, it must meet two prerequisites. First, your customers must consider patronage of your company or use of your product a superior value. Second, your company or product must have a distinction relevant to the consumer. These conditions are nonnegotiable.

Applying these criteria for successful WOMing to promotional products, then, is simple:

• The promo items must be perceived by recipients to be of superior value

• The promo items must be perceived by recipients to be unique.

Okay, so what about a slinky? Would that fit the bill as a promotional product that might create some positive word-of-mouth about you and your company?

Sure – if it's a solid brass slinky and comes in its own custom wood presentation box, and there's a 3" x 3" photoplate on the box top for a message, a photo and company logo.

WOM is free in that you don't have to fork over cash – but it's painstakingly earned nonetheless. The payback? In spades.

Luggage Tags- Great Promotional Items

Travel much? Have a sales staff that travels? Have clients that travel? What better way to get exposure than a unique luggage tag. Everyone notices the luggage as it passes around the carousel. Why not use that oppportunity to advertise your company? Having a unique luggage tag will also make it more likely for your clients to use the tag and remember you everytime they take out their suitcase. Luggage tags are great for the travel industry, cruise Industry, maritime industry, gift promotion, sales staff and much more.

For more information about these luggage tags and other great promotional items contact Samantha@http://FarFromBoring.com promotions 561-999-9097 http://FarFromBoring.com

There's a popular misconception that gift bags are expensive promo items, but you don't have to "break the bank", says Bell. "Moreover", she continues, "the overwhelming consensus of marketers who use [them] is that they generate so much goodwill among the recipients that the price becomes an inconsequential afterthought."

Your return on investment when advertising through promo product distribution is three times that of internet banner ads and 25% more than print and TV ads. An article by Hope Hopkins at Marketing Sherpa confirms findings that slightly more than 76% of those surveyed said they remembered the brand name of a company that gave them a promotional item in the past year.

And that's not all.
If you make the item something of use, you'll benefit from long-lasting and repeat exposure:
•73% of those who used the promotional product that they had received stated that they used it at least once a week
•45.2% used it at least once a day
With US marketers spending $16.9 billion a year, there's a whole lot of very smart giving going on.

February 15, 2006

Happy Promotional Products Customer

This upscale apartment complex contacted me looking for items to give to potential tenants. We found many items for them. They purchased coffee mugs and stadium cups this time. They had previously purchased ice scrapers, key chains, chip clips and magnetic memo boards. This was her response to her most recent order:

I have received every thing, and I am very pleased with the mugs and cups. They look very nice we are going to be proud to give them out as our advertising.

February 09, 2006

Promotional Item for Cluttered Desk

Who has lots of empty space on their desk waiting for large promotional items to fill it up? No one I know. So how about a traditional item that everyone needs in an untraditional style? The FULL SIZE STAND-UP STAPLER is just that. It is a great stapler that stands on its ends so it doesn't take up prime desk real estate. Everyone has room for the stand up stapler.

It's a great promotional give away for any type of business.

For more great promotional items contact Samantha@http://FarFromBoring.com at 561-999-9097.

February 07, 2006

Promotional Calendar Magnets

When looking for promotional products to advertise your company, you need to look at the cost of the item and the length of time your message will stay in front of your customers. Promotional calendar magnets win on both counts. These promotional products are both inexpensive and put your message in front of your customers every day for a whole year! What better way to get your message to your customers and keep it there. And consider sending an even stronger message by selecting a calendar magnet in a shape related to your business or advertising message. For example, a house-shaped calendar magnet makes a great promotional product for realtors or mortgage brokers.
For more ideas on how promotional calendar magnets or other promotional products can help grow your business, call Sharon at 561-999-9097 x113, or email her at sharon@http://FarFromBoring.com. Or visit us online at http://FarFromBoring.com.

February 02, 2006

A Stress Free Way To Buy A New Home

Buying a new home can be very stressful. A great way for a real estate agency to advertise can be though a house shaped stress reliever. This inexpensive product can signify that your company will help make this process less stressful. This stress reliever can be designed is different colors with your logo. When thinking of the best new promotional product for your company, unique stress relievers may be the least stressful way to go.

For more information on how stress relievers can be a great promotional product for your company, please contact Scott at scott@http://FarFromBoring.com or 561-999-9097